Hi, this is Izumitani from the Ehime Film Commission!
From March 11 to March 14, I attended Hong Kong FILMART, a major film and media market held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.
This event brings together film and media production companies, content holders, filming technology firms, and film commissions to negotiate rights, discuss project planning, propose filming locations, and hold presentations.
According to the official report from Hong Kong FILMART, this year’s event saw over 750 exhibitors and more than 7,500 attendees. I participated in two roles—representing both Ehime Film Commission and the Japan Film Commission (JFC).
Several other film commissions from Japan also joined, including:
📍 Sapporo FC
📍 Toyama FO
📍 Tokyo LO
📍 Ibaraki FC
📍 Sakai FO
📍 Hiroshima FC
📍 Fukuoka FC
📍 Okinawa FO
📍 Japan FC
At the Japan FC booth, we received many inquiries from international filmmakers, often along the lines of:
“We’re thinking about filming in Japan—could we discuss the possibilities?”
It was amazing to see just how many projects were considering Japan as their setting from the early planning stages.
Some inquiries were already quite detailed, with filmmakers saying things like:
🎬 “We want to shoot by the sea.”
🎬 “We’re looking for snowy landscapes.”
🎬 “We need an old, traditional town.”
🎬 “A large stadium would be perfect for our scene.”
For these, we (along with other regional film commissions) actively pitched suitable locations, including spots in Ehime.
Promoting Ehime to the World
Ehime’s Setouchi landscapes are breathtaking, and when people see them, they are impressed. However, awareness of Ehime is still quite low internationally. This made me realize, once again, the importance of showcasing Ehime’s beauty through films and visual media.
A Fun Discovery: Horror Films in Southeast Asia
On a side note, I noticed a poster for an independent Japanese horror film displayed at our booth. Some visitors from Thailand and the Philippines were so excited to see it that they started taking pictures!
They told me they love horror films—though I’m not sure if it was just them or a broader trend. Interestingly, they were even familiar with director Takashi Shimizu (known for The Grudge).
Positive Outlook for Japan as a Filming Destination
When I asked other film commissions about their experiences, many said, “We’re confident that several projects will film in Japan, even if not in our specific region.”
This year, Japan introduced a filming incentive program offering up to 10 billion yen (approx. $67 million USD) to attract international productions.
Globally, incentive programs are a key strategy for securing filming projects, and Japan is now recognizing this trend. We want to attract even more international productions to Japan by combining location incentives with stunning filming locations! 🎬✨
Stay tuned for Part 2, where I’ll dive into the latest industry trends from Hong Kong FILMART!